WASHINGTON, March 20, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Potatoes. The revisions to the grade standards will result in standards that more accurately reflect current marketing practices for the commodity.

In addition, the revised standards also incorporate the recommendations of the Joint U.S./Canadian Harmonization Council that was established by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Canada’s Minister of Agriculture to harmonize grade standards for the two countries.

The revisions include new size categories, en route/at destination tolerances, and specific definitions of damage and serious damage for external defects of potatoes.

AMS works with industry representatives and others to establish or revise U.S. standards for nearly 240 agricultural products. Industry uses the standards in the marketplace to specify the quality of commodities. Standards facilitate commerce by providing a common language for trade and a means of measuring value in the marketing of agricultural products.

The revised standards will be published in the March 21, 2008, Federal Register.